A lightning strike on a single tree sparked a fire that destroyed a Blue Mountains community during the Australian summer of 2019-2020.
108 buildings in Bell, Clarence and Dargan were lost.
From the ashes, disaster was transformed into something exceptional, thanks to the help of Rotary.
The Association of Bell, Clarence and Dargan (ABCD), with a population of around 328, was formed and obtained Rotary grants to rebuild a better community hall.
After the horrendous 2019-2020 summer bushfires, Rotary Clubs around the globe pitched in to help.The Association of Bell, Clarence and Dargan (ABCD), with a population of around 328, was formed and obtained Rotary grants to rebuild a community hall which is already creating a more resilient community.
In March, Rotary International President Stephanie Urchick’s representative, Jackson Hsieh, accompanied by his wife, Juliet, visited the site.
Jackson, from the Rotary Club of Taipei Sunrise, Taiwan, and Juliet were told how ABCD put forward a case and obtained a quote of $140,000 to rebuild. An anonymous donor gave this amount through Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS).
Blue Mountains Rotary clubs banded together, led by then-Rotary District 9685 Governor Mina Howard and Upper Blue Mountains Rotarian Phill Isaacs, to support the community through grants and fundraising efforts to kick-start the construction of the hall.
Global grants covered the tanks, kitchen and toilet. A thorough needs analysis was prepared to ensure the hall would be worthwhile and fulfil the needs of the community.
The $110,000 global grant from Rotary International was also supported by international Rotary Clubs from India, Sri Lanka, and Italy, as well as Bendigo Bank, local, and state governments. The global grant required ABCD to give talks on bushfire preparedness and resilience.
“The support from RI was inspirational for this small community,” Phil Isaacs said. “The hall has been built to lock up and is larger than the original. The fit-out was tendered out, and it is hoped the hall will be completed by the end of May 2025.
It is a terrific example of a four-year collaboration between Rotary and the local community and an excellent example of what Rotary can do to improve a community, taking into account its specific needs.